Proposed Encroachment on Public Park by Convent of Jesus & Mary School Karachi (CJM)
26th April 2018
Syed Murad Ali Shah
Chief Minister & Guardian of Sindh
CM’s House, Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road
Karachi
Your Excellency,
Sub: Proposed Encroachment on & Misuse of Public Amenity Park
Plot ST-21, Block-5, Kahkashan, Clifton, Karachi
We understand that an unlawful allotment of a part of the above public park is being made to the Convent of J & M for use as a school. You may not have been informed that the applicable laws, including the KDA Order 1957 and the KBTPR 2002 do not allow the conversion of parks and playgrounds to any other use. The superior courts have regularly supported public-interest litigation to protect such spaces.
Parks, playgrounds and amenity spaces in our beleaguered city have been under attack for over 50 years. Corrupt movers-and-shakers have grabbed chunks of communal spaces, depriving the citizenry of open areas to recreate and play, exacerbating psychological and crime problems. What will our future generations think of us? That we were greedy? Unconcerned for their welfare? Leaving no open spaces to be enjoyed by all?
Plot ST-21 has also been subject to continuous abuse, by unlawful allotment/lease of various parts to:
- Civil Aviation Authority for a private club (this must be had cancelled, as even the final date has passed decades ago)
- Karachi Grammar School for a private playground (as a KMC ‘adopt-a-park’ scheme)
- US government for a Consulate premises (effectively opposed by KGS parents)
Strong opposition by concerned citizens has so far prevented consolidation of the above illegalities. The city needs to develop the park to prevent further temptation.
While we truly appreciate the stellar work that the CJM is doing for the cause of education in our city and country, such cannot be promoted and expanded by illegal conversion of parks.
We, the former students of CJM and other concerned citizens of Karachi, appreciate the desire of the government to help the good nuns. We request you to identify and allot a suitable and appropriate plot for the purpose --- not a park or playground!
Sincerely,
Shehri-CBE
cc Waseem Akhtar, Mayor & Guardian of Karachi (including its parks)
Samiuddin Siddiqui, DG KDA & Owner of Plot ST-21/6, Clifton
Principal, Convent of J & M, Clifton
Updates
April 28, 2018
I have been hearing from so many of you who grew up playing in this park and remember it as a true community sanctuary. The silence from the authorities remains heavy but your continued interest proves that these green spaces belong to the public rather than private interests.
April 28, 2018
Seeing this much energy behind the fight for our park is incredibly moving. This space was meant for my children to play in and I refuse to watch it disappear quietly.
12 Comments
.Cities are comprised of more than just buildings and people. The most liveable cities – and some of the world’s most famous cities – are as known for their open space as they are for their culture. Hyde Park in London, Central Park in New York, the Bukit Timah Nature Preserve in Singapore, Phoenix Park in Dublin… all are attractions in their own right for inhabitants and visitors alike. As denizens of Karachi - a vast and historic city - the economic pillar of Pakistan. we must proactively fight to preserve the few remaining open spaces. While at the same time work towards beatification and greenafication,and reducing the cities carbon footprint.
The cjm needs to stop this as an old alumni I am shocked that my school can be a encroacher.
Absolutely Horrific to hear this.Public spaces are meant for the public for a reason.This is a clear violation of the Sustainable management of urban sytems
No encroachment of public places can be allowed under sny condition or pretext.
This must stop
Agreed with Shehri petition
Let us breathe
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
Proposed Encroachment on Public Park by Convent of Jesus & Mary School Karachi (CJM)
26th April 2018
Syed Murad Ali Shah
Chief Minister & Guardian of Sindh
CM’s House, Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road
Karachi
Your Excellency,
Sub: Proposed Encroachment on & Misuse of Public Amenity Park
Plot ST-21, Block-5, Kahkashan, Clifton, Karachi
We understand that an unlawful allotment of a part of the above public park is being made to the Convent of J & M for use as a school. You may not have been informed that the applicable laws, including the KDA Order 1957 and the KBTPR 2002 do not allow the conversion of parks and playgrounds to any other use. The superior courts have regularly supported public-interest litigation to protect such spaces.
Parks, playgrounds and amenity spaces in our beleaguered city have been under attack for over 50 years. Corrupt movers-and-shakers have grabbed chunks of communal spaces, depriving the citizenry of open areas to recreate and play, exacerbating psychological and crime problems. What will our future generations think of us? That we were greedy? Unconcerned for their welfare? Leaving no open spaces to be enjoyed by all?
Plot ST-21 has also been subject to continuous abuse, by unlawful allotment/lease of various parts to:
- Civil Aviation Authority for a private club (this must be had cancelled, as even the final date has passed decades ago)
- Karachi Grammar School for a private playground (as a KMC ‘adopt-a-park’ scheme)
- US government for a Consulate premises (effectively opposed by KGS parents)
Strong opposition by concerned citizens has so far prevented consolidation of the above illegalities. The city needs to develop the park to prevent further temptation.
While we truly appreciate the stellar work that the CJM is doing for the cause of education in our city and country, such cannot be promoted and expanded by illegal conversion of parks.
We, the former students of CJM and other concerned citizens of Karachi, appreciate the desire of the government to help the good nuns. We request you to identify and allot a suitable and appropriate plot for the purpose --- not a park or playground!
Sincerely,
Shehri-CBE
cc Waseem Akhtar, Mayor & Guardian of Karachi (including its parks)
Samiuddin Siddiqui, DG KDA & Owner of Plot ST-21/6, Clifton
Principal, Convent of J & M, Clifton
Updates
April 28, 2018
I have been hearing from so many of you who grew up playing in this park and remember it as a true community sanctuary. The silence from the authorities remains heavy but your continued interest proves that these green spaces belong to the public rather than private interests.
April 28, 2018
Seeing this much energy behind the fight for our park is incredibly moving. This space was meant for my children to play in and I refuse to watch it disappear quietly.
12 Comments
The Convent has been gifted this land by the government of Sindh a few years ago. Their Principal was awarded the Sitar-i-Imtiaz while their headmistress was awarded the Tamgha-i-Quaid-Azam and so in recognition of their services, this land was gifted. They are at no fault and the utility of the land is something which the government should have looked into before gifting it and before allowing construction to take place.
.Cities are comprised of more than just buildings and people. The most liveable cities – and some of the world’s most famous cities – are as known for their open space as they are for their culture. Hyde Park in London, Central Park in New York, the Bukit Timah Nature Preserve in Singapore, Phoenix Park in Dublin… all are attractions in their own right for inhabitants and visitors alike. As denizens of Karachi - a vast and historic city - the economic pillar of Pakistan. we must proactively fight to preserve the few remaining open spaces. While at the same time work towards beatification and greenafication,and reducing the cities carbon footprint.
The cjm needs to stop this as an old alumni I am shocked that my school can be a encroacher.
Absolutely Horrific to hear this.Public spaces are meant for the public for a reason.This is a clear violation of the Sustainable management of urban sytems
No encroachment of public places can be allowed under sny condition or pretext.
This must stop
Agreed with Shehri petition
Let us breathe
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 50 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
The Convent has been gifted this land by the government of Sindh a few years ago. Their Principal was awarded the Sitar-i-Imtiaz while their headmistress was awarded the Tamgha-i-Quaid-Azam and so in recognition of their services, this land was gifted. They are at no fault and the utility of the land is something which the government should have looked into before gifting it and before allowing construction to take place.